ALHAJI SAKA ABIMBOLA ISAU, (SAN) IS AN ACHIEVER

By

Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori 

5th Rajab, 1446 AH AH (5th January 2024)

Death is a great reminder for all of us. It reminds us of the time it will be our turn to also return to our Creator. 

The death of Alhaji Saka Abimbola Isau SAN is one that hits us deeply due to how close we are to him and his family. He was the founder and custodian of Suebat Abike Central Mosque, Sango, Ilorin, where our Sheikh, Hon. Justice Abduraheem Ahmad Sayi (حفظه الله) serves as Chief Imām and delivers khutbah there every Friday. Apart from that, his children are our childhood friends, especially Dr. Isau Olatunji Ahmed of the Faculty of Law, KWASU, Dr. Sharafa Isau of the Department of Gynecology, UITH and Bar. Femi Isau of Ghalib Chambers, Ilorin.

Alhaji Saka Abimbola Isau was an achiever by all standards. He was a brilliant legal practitioner and he attained the highest rank in the profession (SAN). He was also a public administrator of repute. His performance in the political offices he occupied was exceptional. During his tenures as Attorney-General (AG) of Kwara State and later Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the Judiciary and the State as a whole witnessed meaningful developments. He also benefited a lot of people with employment opportunities and charity. It is very hard to find someone close to him that did not benefit from him, no matter how small. Even those who were not known to him also benefitted from him because he used to prioritize merit in his recommendations. Indeed, it is good to be good and  "the best of people are those who benefit others".

I personally benefited immensely from him. Apart from the fact that he chaired the public presentation of my first book (Halāl Intimacy), he donated generously. It was at the event that he got to know that I am the son of someone he knew very well. He also contributed to all my subsequent books. He attended the public presentation of "50 Common Bid'ah" personally in February 2022 and he also donated towards the project. Though he couldn't attend that of Polygyny with Mercy in 2023 that was held at the National Mosque, Abuja, he supported me as usual when I returned to Ilorin. So, how can I forget this man and his glaring impacts in my life?

Initially, I used to admire him from afar. One of my aunts used to tell me so much about him and the way he used to assist people. But I had the opportunity to move close to him when my Sheikh and mentor, Hon. Justice Sayi made me deputize him for Jum'ah Khutbah whenever he is not around. The first thing that we all noticed about him and other elders in the Masjid is their practice of sitting in the masjid before the start of khutbah. Himself, Hon. Justice AbdulGaffar and others will be seated in the Masjid doing adhkār and waiting for the Imām to mount the pulpit. Their attention during Khutbah is almost 100%. He listens and looks at the Imām with keen interest and affirmative gestures. All members of our congregation can attest to this. This kind of dedication is very rare in our society today. This is one of the virtues I admire in him and I always cite it whenever I have the opportunity. Despite their busy schedules, they get to the Mosque early on Fridays and they do not joke with other prayers too. He used the Masjid to influence many of his allies in a positive way. May Allāh accept all these from him.

Alhaji Saka Isau embraced the da'wah of Sunnah from us with great dedication. Despite his level of education and intelligence, he used to seek clarification on matters that were not clear to him in the Deen. He used to place Islam first in all things. There was a day he called me to his office for a deep talk and he told me how much he hated the practice of shirk and how he used to challenge some of the jalabi Alfas who engage in sihr (magic practice). He tried his best to practice Islām according to the Sunnah and we knew him to be upon the path of Sunnah. Those who know him so well can also confirm this. 

Apart from his legal and political careers, one of the greatest blessings of Allāh upon him was his ability to train his children properly with sound education, the Deen and good manners. You cannot deal with them without appreciating their qualities. He was also a unifying factor in his entire family and immediate communities. He will be missed greatly by his kinsmen and Ilorin as city. But to me, the greatest legacy he left behind is the Masjid that he founded and named after his mother, Alhaja Suebat Abike (May Allāh forgive and have mercy on her). I call on his children, friends and other well-wishers to ensure that this legacy is preserved and protected. This is a form of everlasting charity for him. May Allāh accept it.

May Allāh forgive and have mercy on him. May He accept him as His true servant and grant him aljannah Firdaus.